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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,216
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OP
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,216 |
As some of you already know, Steinberg is moving away from e-licensers and hardware USB keys...and migrating most of their software to new licensing platform. Unfortunately Halion 6 / Sonic 3 didn't make it. Meaning, you can only use it until your e-licenser software works on your particular PC (you will not be able to re-install e-licenser on new machine) or transfer your license to their USB key on new machine after May. From my understanding, they will no longer provide support for the e-licenser based products. So, if you are like me, and used Halion 6/Sonic 3 on dozens of songs, you might want to take some actions while you still can, if of course you want to come back to those tunes at some point. I have Halion 6 both in DAW and BIAB projects... The easiest way to preserve license is to get USB key and transfer license there... Unfortunately Steinberg stopped selling these (how nice!). So secondary market (ebay, reverb, etc.) is your best bet. And another thing... New Halion 7 (which is on their new licenser) has certain VST3 protocols that some software including BIAB have issues with: General MIDI / program changes. I sincerely hope PGM will figure this out ASAP.So as of now, Halion6/Sonic 3 is the last version that does Program Changes in BIAB. https://www.steinberg.net/licensing/elicenser-end-of-service/
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 38 |
Thank you for this update. So Halion 7 VST3 is completely unusable in BIAB 2025?
I was about to update my Halion 6 to 7, but if it does not work, I have to wait.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,216
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,216 |
Steinberg modified some protocols for program changes in VST3 and audio programs (Including BIAB) have to adopt for it to work properly. Some DAWs did, some didn't. I am certain it's very doable and likely would only require a line of code. Simon of PGM said they will look into this.
Halion/Sonic is in my view the best (most flexible) VST synth for GM/ Program changes. I hope they will figure this out soon.
However, second concern is to be able to preserve Halion6 if you have many older projects that use H6, as you will not be install it after May 2025 if you don't have physical key.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 23
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Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 23 |
For me Halion 7 always completely crashes my Biab session. Am I the only one? No, you are not alone!
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,216
Veteran
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OP
Veteran
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 7,216 |
Yes, it (Halion 7) crashes. New Sonic seems OK, but no Program Changes in BIAB. I know that one of the developers for VST3 was out for a while, but should be back, unless of course still enjoying mojitos on a sandy beach somewhere...
I hope they will fix both, crashing and H7 Program Changes soon.
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
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Team PG
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