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Joined: May 2000
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Like driving a screw in with a hammer instead of a screw gun/drill.
It'll work, but the results aren't quite the same.. they are all just tools in the toolbox.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Make your sound your own!
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Apr 2009
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Late to the discussion but I would recommend that you take the time to learn how to use a DAW. It's really not all that difficult. Certainly much easier than trying to convert files designed to work with a particular synth, into a file that can be read by another different program that uses a different file format.
You can still get Cakewalk for free and there are probably a few others that are free if it's only a "lite" version. If you are on a windows machine, and if you have Band in a Box, you have Real Band which is a rudimentary/basic DAW. I prefer Cakewalk. I'd think that you would get better sounding results using the synths designed to play the samples as opposed to trying to convert them into a different platform. The simple reason is that many of the samples in the better sounding libraries and even the cheaper ones are multi-layered samples. I'd imagine that soundfonts are mostly single layer. I used to use them and thought they were a great step up from using general midi. However,, while a step up from GM, they are certainly no match for the quality of today's most basic sample players and synths. Your player for the fonts isn't even capable of properly using the layered samples. We're talking about the overall quality of the sounds you're going to be hearing.
When you decide to take the step, there's a lot of knowledgeable folks here to call on for assistance.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Aug 2006
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I would add that Realband is not a basic as one might think. Especially for someone who does not have a ton of experience. Realband has just about every tool needed and then some it is just been build up from an older style DAW. If you used to a newer GUI or layout it may seem clunky but if you are not that familiar with the fancy stuff it is super capable you just need to learn it. Heck it is free with BiaB use it and learn it. Best part it opens BiaB files natively.
Oh RB developers!!! Add VST3 asap that is the missing ingredient!
HP Win 11 12 gig ram, Mac mini Sonoma with 16 gig of ram, BiaB 2025, Realband, Reaper 7, Harrison Mixbus 9 32c , Melodyne 5 editor, Presonus Audiobox 1818VSL, Presonus control app.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 8
Newbie
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OP
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2024
Posts: 8 |
Hi, and thanks for the post. I honestly would not object to learning a DAW, and I have heard of both Cakewalk and Band in a Box. The trouble is, I am 76 yrs old, semi-disabled, and even though I have close to 90 songs now on Musescore as sheet music adaptations and have become quite an expert in it, I can't actually read music. It is easy to write music ... just place 1 note at a time in a measure, one by one. I have perfect pitch and can do so quite well. Reading it, however, requires speed. I just don't have speed and never learned how. I suspect I am too old now to master speed reading. Consequently, when I am done adapting a piece of music to sheet music in musescore, the virtual "player" then plays the song beautifully, and I've gotten very good at it. I have hundreds of followers now.
That said, I am afraid of learning a whole new software program like Cakewalk or BIAB, or Sibelius or some other program. I know I could, but it would take me a LONG time and a LOT of effort. Frankly, I'm not sure I have the fortitude to tackle it, even with YouTube tutorials. I just feel too old.
Musescore has already come out with a big update called MS 4.3, which does read and load VST libraries. I just don't use it yet because it is missing some things regarding dynamics that I use all the time in a Musescore earlier version. Hopefully, the coders will fix the issue in a future update and I won't have to learn DAWs or Cakewalk or VST libraries, or ...
Thanks again for your encouragement, and thanks to all the others who have posted here as well.
fg
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 10,374
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Hi, and thanks for the post. I honestly would not object to learning a DAW, and I have heard of both Cakewalk and Band in a Box. The trouble is, I am 76 yrs old, semi-disabled, and even though I have close to 90 songs now on Musescore as sheet music adaptations and have become quite an expert in it, I can't actually read music. It is easy to write music ... just place 1 note at a time in a measure, one by one. I have perfect pitch and can do so quite well. Reading it, however, requires speed. I just don't have speed and never learned how. I suspect I am too old now to master speed reading. Consequently, when I am done adapting a piece of music to sheet music in musescore, the virtual "player" then plays the song beautifully, and I've gotten very good at it. I have hundreds of followers now.
That said, I am afraid of learning a whole new software program like Cakewalk or BIAB, or Sibelius or some other program. I know I could, but it would take me a LONG time and a LOT of effort. Frankly, I'm not sure I have the fortitude to tackle it, even with YouTube tutorials. I just feel too old. It sounds like you don't have Band in a box. (BB) You might want to pick up a copy of the basic version for $130 and play around with it. It has a guarantee. If you don't like it, send it back and get a refund. This is a good company and they will refund the money. It's really not that hard to learn how to use. It might be the answer to your problems with composition. You said you are currently doing one note at a time. How would you feel about completing an entire song in 10 to 15 minutes? It's totally possible because I do that quite often. Once you get it done, you can change style, tempo, and key with the click of the mouse. You're only as old as you feel. Hopefully this helps you Edit: you don't have to read any music to use this software to it's fullest advantage. A little bit of understanding music theory is helpful but not an absolute requirement.
Last edited by Guitarhacker; 07/19/24 04:40 AM.
You can find my music at: www.herbhartley.comAdd nothing that adds nothing to the music. You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both. The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
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Beginners Forum
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Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 11
Newbie
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Newbie
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 11 |
Hi. I'm new to the forum. I use .sf2 soundfonts in the music software I use to compose and adapt songs. It's called MuseScore 3.62. Although Musescore has come out with a newer version that uses VST libraries, I don't yet use it and am still using the older .sf2 soundfont version, for a variety of performance reasons.
I have found some very nice VST sounds online that I would love to use in MuseScore 3.62. I am prepared to buy them. Is there any software anywhere that will input a VST sound and convert it to an .sf2 soundfont? I tried Polyphone but so far, no go.
Help! Are you on Windows, Linux, or a Mac? I use Windows, and I recall back when I was using older versions of Muse Score that I could install the JACK Audio Connection Kit (jack2), and this would allow MuseScore to stream MIDI output in a way that I could divert it back into a standalone instrument, or into a secondary host like bidule, or Kushview Element and then play the sounds in real time through whatever MIDI hardware or software instruments I like. It was a bit weird to get working, but it worked, as Musescore 3 has special sockets and support specifically for jack2. It seems like I might have needed a virtual MIDI port or two installed to help out with MIDI routing. I've always used loopMIDI on Windows machines. To get jack2 working on a Windows PC... If the audio device in your system does NOT have native ASIO drivers, then you will need a WDM>ASIO bridge. ASIO4ALL is a very popular option that works well for most users. Years ago getting jack2 working could be pretty complicated, but I think the package is much improved these days. Easier to install, understand, and use. Jack2 offers quite a few other perks as well. Think of it like a patch bay and audio matrix that allows you to route MIDI and Audio to and from any application that supports ASIO running on your system. Example 1: I could divert the MIDI stream straight into an external MIDI sound module or keyboard, such as my Roland Fantom XR. Example 2: I could launch the stand-alone version of software based instruments like HALion, Kontakt, Musio, or Opus. I could use the jack2 interface, and virtual MIDI ports to route a MIDI stream from Muse Score into the instrument(s). In this case you'll be limited to instruments that get base dynamic information from key-velocity, and do hair-pin dynamics via CC7. Note that many of the high end orchestra plugins these days expect every note to be accompanied via CC1 or CC11 event to get the initial volume/attack correct. Some might allow a way to toggle how dynamics work. Some might offer alternate 'General MIDI' patches/programs/instruments. Some might allow you to use simple scripts to work it out. Some are pretty ridged, and simply are not going to work well with Musescore 3's MIDI stream without some 'third party help'. Example 3: I could launch something like Bidule, Kushview Element, or even a full blown Tracking DAW, and host whatever VST plugins I like inside this. I'd instruct both Musescore, and the DAW to use the jack2 interface as the 'audio device'. From there I could stream both the MIDI and Audio from Musescore into the alternate 'host', and manipulate/mix it from there. I used this approach years ago to play Muse Score through Garritan Libraries. In this case Bidule was essential because I needed to create some CC1 events in real time to get any 'dynamics' with this sort of Library. Muse Score was sending velocity information, but Garritan needs CC1 or CC11 too for string and wind instruments. So, I'd have Bidule read the velocity of each note and inject a matching CC1 event in real time for the instruments that needed this. It wasn't great, but it did the trick.
Last edited by Brian Roland; 07/23/24 03:17 AM.
Windows 11, OmniPak
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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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New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2025!
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
Check out all the 202 New RealTracks (in sets 456-467)
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
The 2025 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2025 49-PAK!
Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Mac!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 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 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
- Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
- Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
- Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
- Playable RealTracks Set 4
- RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
- SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
- 128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
- Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
- Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
- RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs for Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®!
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Learn more and listen to demos of the Xtra Styles PAK 20.
Video: Xtra Styles PAK 20 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 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.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 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!
Learn more and listen to demos of XPro Styles PAKs.
Video: XPro Styles PAK 9 Overview & Styles Demos: Watch now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
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