|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 47 |
Running Windows 7, 64 bit with a with a Creative Sound Blaster XFi Titanium Fatal1ty sound card. Playing a Yamaha WX5 plugged into a Yamaha VL70M which is plugged into AUX in connections on the front panel of the Sound Blaster.
I'm not a pro or anything like that, but just enjoy playing tunes on the WX with BIAB (just updated to 2011). I see references to software synths, etc but have no idea how to use them or if anything is better than the Creative program. Can anyone give me a quick (and simple) explanation of the VSC, etc and how to use them? Maybe a reference to a tutorial somewhere on how to install and use?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,933
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,933 |
Hi RedFooDog,
Since you have a 64-bit operating system, the VSC/DXi will not work (it is only 32-bit compatible). This leaves you with the Coyote Wave Table softwynth unless you purchase another program that has a 64-bit compatible soft synth (e.g. Coyote Forte or Cakewalk Music Creator that are both available at PG Music).
To be honest, I'd imagine that the sound that you're getting from the Yamaha synth is superior to any of these soft synths.
Regards,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 47 |
Hello Noel. Would have answered sooner but I stopped by your songu site and got side tracked listening to your songs. I enjoyed listening and for what it's worth, you have my canary's seal off approval too. His cage is right behind me and he was singing his little heart out listening to your music.
As I posted, I'm pretty much of a dunce when it comes to creating songs with synths and all the other stuff you guys use so I just rely on BIAB and my VL70M. If my imagination is correct, if I installed Coyote the sound card would switch to the Coyote sounds and I would have to unplug the WX from the VL70 and somehow connect it to the sound card?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193 |
Red,
A lot of this is going to depend on what you want to do.
A software synth is just that, a synthesizer in software, instead of hardware like the VL70m. If I recall correctly, the VL70m is either monophonic or duophonic, i.e., it will only play one or two notes at a time.
The softsynths that you have talked about are polyphonic, and also multitimbral. That means they can play a multitude of notes (28 minimum for the General MIDI Standard) and can also play on multiple MIDI channels, usually up to 16 channels. Each channel may be dedicated to a different sound, i.e., piano, acoustic bass, drum set, jazz guitar, etc.
If you are not using a MIDI synthesizer as your output, then you may not need any of these synths. If you're using Real Tracks for all of your backing tracks, the soft synth isn't needed.
However, not everyone uses all Real Tracks all the time, so you may wish to have something like a string sound, which I don't think there's any Real Tracks for...yet. For that, you do want a synthesizer.
Getting the best quality synth is what it's all about. There are a load of free DXi or VSTi synths which can be downloaded, but Band In a Box usually likes to see a General MIDI compatible synth. Normally the VSTi or DXi synths, at least for the better ones, are a single instrument, and BIAB won't like that, however, you can use them in Real Band with better results.
My fave, inexpensive, Software Synth is the Roland TTS-1. It works with a 64 bit OS, is included in the Roland Music Creator package. Once you install it on your computer, you can call it up from within Band In A Box, or Real Band. The outputs will go through your Fatal1ty card. I might also recommend that instead of the Aux in that you use the Line In on the card, but that's up to you.
Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,933
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,933 |
Quote:
you have my canary's seal off approval too
That's a first for me! I'm honored  Thank you for listening to my songs, too!
I don't run a hardware synth because I'm happy with the VSC/DXi soft synth so I'm not sure if you'd need to disconnect anything. I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't. Just leave it turned off. Also, you wouldn't need to plug anything into your soundcard as those connections would all be done internally when you select the Coyote Wavetable.
Don't be afraid to have a play around. Just take a note of where things are. What I do is to use "All Programs >> Accessories >> Snipping tool" and capture screen shots of my settings. I then paste these into a document (save it) so that I can return to what original settings I had if I need to. The Snipping Tool makes saving this sort of information an awful lot quicker than writing everything down.
All the best,
Noel
MY SONGS...Audiophile BIAB 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 47 |
Quote:
Red,
A lot of this is going to depend on what you want to do.
A software synth is just that, a synthesizer in software, instead of hardware like the VL70m. If I recall correctly, the VL70m is either monophonic or duophonic, i.e., it will only play one or two notes at a time.
The softsynths that you have talked about are polyphonic, and also multitimbral. That means they can play a multitude of notes (28 minimum for the General MIDI Standard) and can also play on multiple MIDI channels, usually up to 16 channels. Each channel may be dedicated to a different sound, i.e., piano, acoustic bass, drum set, jazz guitar, etc.
If you are not using a MIDI synthesizer as your output, then you may not need any of these synths. If you're using Real Tracks for all of your backing tracks, the soft synth isn't needed.
However, not everyone uses all Real Tracks all the time, so you may wish to have something like a string sound, which I don't think there's any Real Tracks for...yet. For that, you do want a synthesizer.
Getting the best quality synth is what it's all about. There are a load of free DXi or VSTi synths which can be downloaded, but Band In a Box usually likes to see a General MIDI compatible synth. Normally the VSTi or DXi synths, at least for the better ones, are a single instrument, and BIAB won't like that, however, you can use them in Real Band with better results.
My fave, inexpensive, Software Synth is the Roland TTS-1. It works with a 64 bit OS, is included in the Roland Music Creator package. Once you install it on your computer, you can call it up from within Band In A Box, or Real Band. The outputs will go through your Fatal1ty card. I might also recommend that instead of the Aux in that you use the Line In on the card, but that's up to you.
Gary
Hello Gary and thank you for the explanation. I think the light finally came on here. If I've figured this out correctly the VL70M generates it's own sounds and the sound card merely passes the sounds through to the computer. BIAB however will use the synth sounds in the Creative Card or another synth such as the Roland. I'm also going to guess that the Roland synth might be better than the Creative card?
Also, the only line in on the sound card is for a mic so the only option is to plug the VL70M into the Aux In ports.
BTW. Many years ago (1960) I was stationed here in Moses Lake and played drums with a little combo. Had a bass player by the name of Tom Curran (not sure of the spelling) who worked for Boeing. Any possibility you might be related?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 10,193 |
Red, You are correct. The VL70M generates its own sounds. Make sure you check out these two pages: http://www.nortonmusic.com/vl70-m_turbo.htmlhttp://www.nortonmusic.com/VL70-m.htmlThe outputs of the VL70M do go through the inputs of the sound card, and therefore into your computer. There, it can be saved as a digital .wav file. If the Creative card does have a built in synth, you can select that. Earlier Audigy and Live cards also had the ability to use 'Sound Fonts', but I don't know about the later cards. Sound Fonts are usually better sounding sample sets. If your card has the ability to use them, it's a good thing. You can also find free VSTi plug ins that will accept Sound Fonts. The VSC, Coyote Forte, and TTS all send their outputs to whatever is selected as the default Windows sound output. That can be the Creative card, or an on-board sound chip, or an USB audio device. As to Tom Curran, I don't believe so. We are native to New Jersey. Gary
I'm blessed watching God do what He does best. I've had a few rough years, and I'm still not back to where I want to be, but I'm on the way and things are looking far better now than what they were!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 47
Enthusiast
|
|
OP
Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 47 |
Thanks once again Gary. I remember "sound fonts" in previous Creative cards but never messed around with them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
XPro & Xtra Styles PAKs Special Extended Until August 31st!
The XPro Styles PAKs and Xtra Styles PAKs special offers are now available until August 31st at 11:59pm PDT!
Ready to take your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 experience to the next level? Now’s the perfect time! Expand your style library with XPro and Xtra Styles PAKs—packed with a wide variety of genres to inspire your next musical creation.
What are XPro Styles and Xtra Styles PAKs?
XPro Styles PAKs are styles that work with any version (Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition) of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). XPro Styles PAKS 1-9 includes 900 styles!
Xtra Styles PAKs are styles that work with the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 (or higher). With over 3,500 styles (and 35 MIDI styles) included in Xtra Styles PAKs 1-20, the possibilities are endless!
Get the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: 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.
Get Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 19 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Listen to demos and order now! For Windows or for Mac.
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 19 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.
Don’t miss this chance to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box setup—at a great price!
Mac 2025 Special Upgrade Offers Extended Until August 15th!
It's not too late to upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® and save! We've extended our special until August 15, 2025!
We've added many major new features to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®, including advanced AI tools like the amazing BB Stem Splitter and AI Lyrics Generator, as well as VST3 plugin support, and Equalize Temp. Plus, there’s a new one-stop MIDI Patches Picker with over 1,100 MIDI patches to choose from, all neatly categorized by GM numbers. The MultiPicker Library is enhanced with tabs for the SongPicker, MIDI Patch Picker, Chord Builder, AI Lyrics Generator, and Song Titles Browser, and the tabs are organized into logical groups. The Audiophile Edition is enhanced with FLAC files , which are 60% smaller than AIFF files while maintaining identical audio quality, and now ships on a fast 1TB SSD, and much more!
Check out all the new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® here:
Purchase your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac during our special to save up to 50% off your upgrade purchase and receive a FREE BONUS PAK of amazing new Add-ons. These include the 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK, 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, and more!
Upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and add 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and 20 RealStyles, FLAC Files for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks, Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster, MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster, Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8, and RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe.
Learn more about the Bonus PAKs!
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums58
Topics84,645
Posts782,250
Members39,713
| |
Most Online25,754
Jan 24th, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean