|
Log in to post
|
Print Thread |
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7 |
Hi Folks,
I am new to BAIB, and am planning to purchase this for myself (after Christmas is over just in case someone bought it as a present), and am curious what would be the best MIDI option for me.
I have played the guitar for twenty five years or so, but alas, neurological problems have ended that possibility now. Soooo... I went looking to see what's out there to make music on the PC, and stumbled upon this software. I looks like it will allow me to continue to write music.
What I'm at a loss over is what MIDI source to get. Should I get a hardware device? Or would the Personal Orchestra 4 do the job. I just want to be able to use strings and some symphony instruments in my pieces (flute, piccolo, clarinet, and others).
I tend to do folk, pop, and some lighter rock.
Any suggestions on what would be best?
Thanks,
Charles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Operating System? 32 bit or 64?
The VSC Dxi syth is pretty good, for free, included, but does not do 64.
our
The options for recording with an external module like the Ketron Sd2 are limited. You have to do the whole song through. Not a problem if you are recording voice, but the render to .wav process is speeded up by Dxi synth no needing to play the file through for example on a good machine a 5 minute song might take about 30 seconds to render to .wav.
Also, I have several options for external synths (3), but I do not hardly use them in favour of RealTracks. That's a consideration. In my opinion, get the software. Tinker. Listen. Evaluate synths, and go from there. Unless you play the violin there are lots of good ones. If Perlman is your best friend and you have all his recordings no violin patch on any synth will please you. If you are like my Mom that cheesy M/S synth she heard on the 'all oldies all the times' just before someguy in a monotone reads the obits for hicksville, is like 'heaven on earth'. Wow.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
Hi Charles and welcome to the forum.
While it is nice to have a somewhat better MIDI synth solution than what comes along with BiaB and RC software, you don't have to go out and buy one immediately.
The software comes with two software synths that can get you started out. The older one, the "VSC DXi" synth unfortunately can only work with older 32-bit Operating Systems (XP and before) while there is the newer "Coyote Wavetable" aynth that will work with the newer Vista/Win7 64 bit systems.
These install as options when you run the BiaB Installer File.
My advice to you would be to start out like that, get to know the programs a bit and then you will be much better situated to make the decision on what kind of higher quality MIDI solution you might want to get.
That said, the Ketron SD-2 hardware synth sold on this site is a darn good sounding little box...
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7 |
Thanks John, I appreciate you taking the time to offer advice. I forgot to mention that I'm running an Icore 7 Laptop with 6GB RAM and 64bit Windows 7. I understand what you are saying about using the realtracks, but from what I understand, there are no realtracks for a string section. Hence, I will need to provide it from another source. While I cannot play the keyboard anymore, I can use it to record the correct sequence of notes, and go back and ajust duration and such within the measures using a neat little thing called video mouse (it allows you to control your mouse with your head)  . Mac, again thanks for reaponding. I've looked at the SD2 and liked some of the sounds it offers, but in my opinion, the flute is just a bit too airy. The one I heard in Personal Orchestra is beautiful. If you're trying to do a celtic type of sound, the SD2 wouldn't quite fit in IMHO. Now that I think about it, there seemed to be a celtic style just introduced. Did that have a flute in realtrack form? I listened to so many of the demos that I have lost track of what's there, LOL. Another question. While I played the twelve string for years (an ardent flatpicker here), the only reason I learned to do so is my first love is singing. I noticed that PG has the TC Helicon VoiceLive on the hardware page, but I assume it's the VoiceLive2 because the price is exactly the same as the VL2. That seems to be an incredible device for vocals and would be a good buy for what it offers. Having more control over my feet than hands, it would also be easier for me to manage. Does anyone have experience with this device? I know that there was some question about delay to the monitors that could cause issues while recording. Let me clarify that I have the opportunity now to aquire these things, and probably won't again in the future. This is why I want to figure out what is best for what I want to do, and get what fits my needs while the resources are available. Thanks, Charles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,163 |
Charles, The "wizard" check box in Biab will allow you to use your qwerty keyboard to record notes in real time into Biab's melody channel. The wizard will play notes within the key and chord sequence of your chord layout in Biab. Note: if using a DXi synth, it is best to run in ASIO driver mode for the latency gap. Once you have "tapped" the qwerty notes in, you can open the piano roll and move them to their correct note value. The wizard allows the timing to be precise and then a simple drag in piano roll will have your melody spot-on. Once you have done this a couple of times, you will be knocking out melodies in no time. I use a hardware midi synth here, Yamaha Tyros. I prefer a hardware synth vs a software one here. Welcome to the forum and Biab software club  Trax
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7
Newbie
|
|
OP
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 7 |
Thanks Trax! I did not know about that feature. I really appreciate the help!
Charles
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 7,697 |
Quote:
I've looked at the SD2 and liked some of the sounds it offers, but in my opinion, the flute is just a bit too airy. The one I heard in Personal Orchestra is beautiful. If you're trying to do a celtic type of sound, the SD2 wouldn't quite fit in IMHO.
Charles, if you're going to be this precise and picky you're crusin' for a brusin' when it comes to working with computer based music. You're going to need a whole rack full of very expensive stuff to be fully satisfied. Now, this is fine, pro musicians do that all the time, they've got good ears, they know what they want and are willing to do whatever it takes to get it. All I'm saying is be prepared to spend some serious cash. That Tyros just mentioned costs upwards of $4,000 if it's the new model. The Ketron costs $400. GPO is $3-400 or so but it won't have everything you want for sound, you will be looking for other synths to go along with it. It will add up fast.
I think but of course I'm not sure, you are not familiar with General Midi and how that factors into this. GM is a standard that allows a user to simply plug in a synth or use a software synth-softsynth-and simply hit play and listen to the tune. The problem is GM is very limited. GPO for example is not GM because all those killer sounds do not comform to the GM standard. Garritan uses it's own player as a plug in. That's another whole thing you have to learn. That means you have to set up and configure each instrument for each song you want to play before you hear anything. Biab only has one midi output port so you can only use one synth at a time but of course there's workarounds for that that the pros use. There's addon software you can buy that allows Biab to work with a whole rack of softsynths. Another whole geek level course in midi. That is inconvienent, time consuming and requires knowledge but you will get great sound that way.
The point here is GM is simple, fast and you can listen to a whole list of songs one after the other with no input from you once you have everything set up. The problem is there's only a handful of GM synths that sound good. When we talk about the VSC, the Coyote Wavetable, the Ketron, those are all GM synths. The VSC and Wavetable sound like crap imho but they're enough to get you started. What I'm talking about is way more complex than that.
If you're going to be that picky about your sound quality be prepared for a long and expensive process to get all the pieces together and also be prepared to spend a consderable amount of time learning it. Most of us came to realize all that is just not worth it for a hobby and we became willing to compromise. The Ketron, the Roland Sonic Cell or SD-50, Sampletank with the GM Omnisynth, a few others are good GM compromises for the money.
Just a little heads up.
Bob
Biab/RB latest build, Win 11 Pro, Ryzen 5 5600 G, 512 Gig SSD, 16 Gigs Ram, Steinberg UR22 MkII, Roland Sonic Cell, Kurzweil PC3, Hammond SK1, Korg PA3XPro, Garritan JABB, Hypercanvas, Sampletank 3, more.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 38,502 |
There are other flutes on Upper Banks of the SD2 that are not so airy sounding, as well.
Likely evaluating the sound of only the GM bank here, not realizing that.
However, being an avid owner/user of SD2 for quite some time now, I would have to say that its sounds are geared more towards more modern music genres than the standard modern classical or orchestral sound.
The "right" instrument sound from *any* MIDI synth or sampler, hardware or software, is a very subjective thing, as it turns out. NONE are correct, actually, as none can be, due to technical limitations within the MIDI standard.
Looking back on more than twenty years of working with MIDI devices of all kinds in the studio, there are two issues that I've noticed:
*Any MIDI synth solution can start to sound better to us over time and use. This is because of the marvelous filter tha exists between the ears, I think. It is also a factor to guard against somewhat, if you are involved in making product - We must remember that other ears are not likely to have familiarized with the sound of the chosen patch.
*NONE of them can sound like the actual instrument really sounds. I like to keep in mind that the use of MIDI can only create an *approximation* of the real instrument and that we, as MIDIOTS, must strive to create the *ILLUSION* of live players when using MIDI.
Those are my two basic ground rules and time and experience have shown me that attem;pts to break them can only yield frustration. So instead of trying to force these tools to do it all, or continuing the search for the nonexistant "perfect" sounding MIDI solution(s), which are not very likely to happen given the lack of parameters in the MIDI standard, my goal is to work with what the thing *CAN* do that is as close to being acceptable as possible.
If you absolutely must have your production sound like real live trained musicians are playing - you must still hire real live trained musicians.
That said, the advent of pgmusic RealTracks and RealDrums can go a long way towards helping you create illusions. When these tools were first introduced, during the first beta test of the Real instruments, many of us commented on how well the addition of even one RealInstrument somehow made the sound of the MIDI patches sound more believable. That's a plus.
--Mac
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333
Veteran
|
|
Veteran
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,333 |
Amen to Mac's comments.
Plus in my experience, you play the piece with the 'too airy' flute to a non flute player, and to a non musician and you'll get good reactions.
But:
To the trombone player the trombone patches are bad.
To the oboe player the oboes suck.
To the piano player the thing is wrong, dead wrong.
To the graduate of a 4 year Honours Music program almost all the orchestral instruments are just garbage. (My wife speaking there.)
To the guitar player they want a whaa whaa pedal effect on a tube amp with different gauge strings and a drop x tuning with a slight stairwell reverb played like Santana on the recording of..well you get my drift.
At the end of the day, standard GM sounds, even from an 8000 dollar synth are, what they are.
John Conley
Musica est vita
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Band-in-a-Box for Windows
|
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618
Journeyman
|
|
Journeyman
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 618 |
Hi Trax,
I'm trying to use the qwerty. That's a very cool feature.
Does it only work with ASIO? I'm using MME.
Wayne,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
Time really is running out! Save up to 50% on Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrades and receive a FREE Bonus PAK—only when you order by 11:59 PM PDT today!
We've added many major new features and new content in a redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Version 2026 introduces a modernized GUI redesign across the program, with updated toolbars, refreshed windows, smoother workflows, and a new Dark Mode option. There’s also a new side toolbar for quicker access to commonly used windows, and the new Multi-View feature lets you arrange multiple windows as layered panels without overlap, making it easier to customize your workspace.
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®.
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!
Upgrade your Band-in-a-Box for Mac® to save up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® 2026 upgrade packages!
Plus, when you order your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 Mac upgrade during our special, you'll receive a Free Bonus PAK of exciting new add-ons.
If you need any help deciding which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We are here to help!
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!
There are over 100 new features in Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®.
When you order purchase Band-in-a-Box® 2026 before 11:59 PM PDT on May 31st, you'll also receive a Free Bonus PAK packed with exciting new add-ons.
Check out the Band-in-a-Box® for Mac packages page to find the best package for you.
Holiday Weekend Hours
It's Victoria Day Long Weekend in Canada. Our Customer Service hours are:
Saturday, May 16: Closed
Sunday, May 17: Closed
Monday, May 18: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Regular hours resume Tuesday, May 19th!
Today's the Last Day of the Band-in-a-Box 2026® for Mac Special!
Order before 11:59pm PDT today (May 15, 2026) to save up to 50% off your Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® upgrade and receive a FREE Bonus PAK loaded with great new Add-ons to use with this new version!
Don't wait - order today!
Check out all the new features in the redesigned Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac - Special Offers End at 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th, 2026!
Order before 11:59pm PDT on Friday, May 15th and SAVE up to 50% on most Band-in-a-Box® version 2026 for Mac Upgrade packages... and that's not all! With your version 2026 for Mac purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks... that's 222 NEW RealTracks available with version Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac!
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® today for as little as $49! Check out the Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all available purchase options.
Learn more about the Free Bonus PAK and 49-PAK here.
If you have any questions about which package is the best option for you, just let us know. We're here to help!
202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
Our new jazz, funk & blues RealTracks include a groovin’ collection of RealTracks and RealDrums! These include more requested “soul jazz” RealTracks featuring artists Neil Swainson (bass), Charles Treadway (organ), Brent Mason (guitar), and Wes Little (drums). There are new “smooth jazz” styles (4), which include a RealTracks first: muted trumpet, as well as slick new smooth jazz brushes options for drums. Blues lovers will be thrilled—there are more “classic acoustic blues” styles, including guitar (5), bass (4), and drums (10) with blues master Colin Linden, featuring understated and tasty background acoustic soloing, plus brushes drums and acoustic bass. There are also new electric blues RealTracks, including electric blues with PG favorite Johnny Hiland (3) and soulful electric slide guitar from Colin Linden (4). If you love funk & gospel, there are great new options this year, including gospel organ (3) from Charles Treadway, as well as new funk, tango, and rock ’n’ roll drums (3) and bass (1). And for big, bold arrangements, we have uptempo soul horns (4) featuring a three-part hip horn section with options for a full mix or stems of each individual horn — plus an accompanying rhythm section (4) of drums, bass, guitar, and electric piano!
Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
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.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
Check out all the 202 new RealTracks (in sets 468-488)!
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
The 2026 49-PAK is loaded with other great new add-ons as well. Learn more about the 2026 49-PAK!
2026 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
With your version 2026 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons for FREE! Or upgrade to the 2026 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 2026 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 27 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 25 new RealTracks and 23 new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 12 new RealStyles.
- MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
- Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
- Playable RealTracks Set 5
- RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
- SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
- iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2026 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
- 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
- FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
- MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
- MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
- Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
- Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
- RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
- SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
Learn more about the Bonus PAK and 49-PAK for Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac®!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forums57
Topics86,421
Posts804,788
Members40,120
| |
Most Online64,515
Apr 8th, 2026
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean