I'm back re-visiting how to make some new backing tracks for my solo guitar work.
In the past I bought and used Coyote... but now with the options in BIAB 2022 I am a little confused by the options.
Am I right thinking that the CoyoteWT is not the same as my old DXi version? From what I've read its just a wrapper of the old MS WT?
I have installed Cubase so have Roland TTS-1 - but noy convinced this is the best option.
Which leaves Sforzando and vstsynth64 as VST options. My feeling is that I should now be using VST for the MIDI output. But which of these two would you recommend? I guess the other linked question is which soundfont files to use? I'm a little unclear as to which is the PGM recommend synth between these 2?
Also I see Sforzando says there is an update available, but I think the BIAB version is specific to BIAB - is that right, or can it be upgraded via the vstsynth site?
Apologies for so many questions - I have looked thro past post and looked at the PGM tutorials.
Windows 10 (64bit) M-Audio Fast Track Pro, Band in a Box 2024, Cubase 13, Cakewalk and far too many VST plugins that I probably don't need or will ever use
First, you are correct, the CoyoteWT is not the same as the old Coyote Forte DXi version. However, that old version no longer works in BIAB 64.
Second, the vstsynthfont gets my 100% recomendation. It is free with BIAB and includes the newest update.
And finally, if you look around carefully or ask the right person, you can find the Coyote Forte SF2 (which is Coyote Forte Dxi) to use with the current version of Vstsynthfont in BIAB or in your DAW.
Depends on the task. Just GM or the one that does program changes?
The top ones that I know of that do program changes are:
The budget, and the one that you probably already have is VSTsynthfont, which is very flexible. Quality depends on SF2 bank you have.
The best, in my view is Halion / Sonic from Yamaha. Comes as VSTi or stand alone software. Prior to this year, it had VST2 version, which works great in BIAB. As of now, only VST3 (and standalone). Peter Gannon confirmed in wishlist that VST3 support is coming next year, so I will hold off on upgrading for now.
...if you look around carefully or ask the right person, you can find the Coyote Forte SF2 (which is Coyote Forte Dxi) to use with the current version of Vstsynthfont in BIAB
Dan, since your posts are normally ever so clear, I'm assuming there is a reason for the lack of clarity here. I trust you so even though I don't know, I won't ask.
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
I mainly just use BIAB for Drums and Bass with occasional keys. I just want simple backings for my guitar. I use VST plugins (MODO Bass and SSD 5.5) in Reaper, so I'm not whether a full GM2 synth is needed... I've experimented with loading the VST's onto each track in BIAB but had a few crashes. I know I could just drag the MIDI into Reaper, but I like the spontaneity of using BIAB.
I mainly just use BIAB for Drums and Bass with occasional keys. I just want simple backings for my guitar. I use VST plugins (MODO Bass and SSD 5.5) in Reaper, so I'm not whether a full GM2 synth is needed... I've experimented with loading the VST's onto each track in BIAB but had a few crashes. I know I could just drag the MIDI into Reaper, but I like the spontaneity of using BIAB.
Loz, your Modo should work on your bass line, just be sure that you are using the VST 2 version.
SSD-5 will not work for your drums because it is not GM compliant. You will need a VST 2 GM compliant drum kit. I think Addictive Drums 2 is VST2 and it has a GM drum setting. Google/Bing and I'm sure you will find others. DO NOT get a VST 3 version as VST 3 plug-ins will not work in BiaB right now. It has been rumored VST 3 is coming soon though.
I hope this helps.
I want my last spoken words to be "I hid a million dollars under the........................"
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I may well have been loading the VST3 modo bass, hence the crashes.
I find when I drag the bass midi to Reaper that it is 1 octave below where it needs to be to trigger Modo Bass.... not sure whether I need change the mapping on Modo or if I can get BIAB to automatically increase the bass octave by 1? Need to do some testimng.
Regarding SSD drums... interestingly that has worked ok to a point. I see its not GM compliant... but it seems very close and I have a GM midi map for it... so hoping I can get that working well.
I find when I drag the bass midi to Reaper that it is 1 octave below where it needs to be to trigger Modo Bass.... not sure whether I need change the mapping on Modo or if I can get BIAB to automatically increase the bass octave by 1? Need to do some testimng.
Regarding SSD drums... interestingly that has worked ok to a point. I see its not GM compliant... but it seems very close and I have a GM midi map for it... so hoping I can get that working well.
Thanks for your help.
Bass guitar and regular guitars are written one octave higher than they sound. That is so all of the notes will stay in either the bass clef for the bass or the treble clef for guitars with out a lot of ledger lines.. BiaB writes bass in actual notation. Good sounding bass VSTis expect the input to be an octave higher, i.e. as written for a bass. Hence your problem. If you raise the BiaB bass track 1 octave it will not sound right in BiaB.
The very first thing I do when I bring MIDI into my DAW I raise the bass track one octave as I also have good bass VSTis.
For your I like the spontaneity of using BIAB statement forget using SSD-5 drums and use a GM drum kit. Many BiaB drum tracks use percussion and SSD-5 has no percussion instruments, only a major drum kit: This is true for many good drum VSTis. There are some really good SF2, and SFZ GM drums available.
On a side note I when I bring a GM drum track into my DAW, Studio One Pro 6, I assign the SSD-5 drum VSTi to it. I then explode all notes to different tracks and label said tracks, i.e. kick, snare, crash cymbal, etc. Then I find the matching SSD-5 to the track label. If I want this also allows me to assign various SSD-5 kits to individual tracks and to assign various percussion instruments as needed.
I hope this helps.
{edit} - PS, don't forget you can use Realdrums also.
Last edited by MarioD; 05/05/2303:06 AM.
I want my last spoken words to be "I hid a million dollars under the........................"
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Mario, questions about the correct register when writing notation for guitar and bass show up here pretty often. Would you consider making a post with your helpful info for the Tips and Tricks Forum?
BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
Brilliant... thanks Mario, that is very informative and helpful.
I see in the channel prefs I can change the bass from -1 to 0... which if I have my Modo Bass vst assigned works fine, but as you say a regular midi synth would then be 'wrong'.
So it looks like using a GM is probably best in BIAB and then finish off in Reaper using my dedicated vst's.
I've experimented with readdrums... but I'm trying to get a consistent (and editable) drums and bass tone for each song, much as you would get with a live band if that makes sense.
Mario, questions about the correct register when writing notation for guitar and bass show up here pretty often. Would you consider making a post with your helpful info for the Tips and Tricks Forum?
I just uploaded some information into the Tips and Tricks forum. I hope it isn't to complicated.
I want my last spoken words to be "I hid a million dollars under the........................"
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
User Video: Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box®
The Bob Doyle Media YouTube channel is known for demonstrating how you can creatively incorporate AI into your projects - from your song projects to avatar building to face swapping, and more!
His latest video, Next-Level AI Music Editing with ACE Studio and Band-in-a-Box, he explains in detail how you can use the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box with ACE Studio. Follow along as he goes from "nothing" to "something" with his Band-in-a-Box MIDI Melodist track, using ACE Studio to turn it into a vocal track (or tracks, you'll see) by adding lyrics for those notes that will trigger some amazing AI vocals!
Wir waren fleißig und haben über 50 neue Funktionen und eine erstaunliche Sammlung neuer Inhalte hinzugefügt, darunter 222 RealTracks, neue RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, "Songs with Vocals" Artist Performance Sets, abspielbare RealTracks Set 3, abspielbare RealDrums Set 2, zwei neue Sets von "RealDrums Stems", XPro Styles PAK 6, Xtra Styles PAK 17 und mehr!
Add updated printing options, enhanced tracks settings, smoother use of MGU and SGU (BB files) within PowerTracks, and more with the latest PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 update!
Download and install this to your RealBand 2024 for updated print options, streamlined loading and saving of .SGU & MGU (BB) files, and to add a number of program adjustments that address user-reported bugs and concerns.
Did you know... not only can you download your Band-in-a-Box® Pro, MegaPAK, or PlusPAK purchase - you can also choose to add a flash drive backup copy with the installation files for only $15? It even comes with a Band-in-a-Box® keychain!
For the larger Band-in-a-Box® packages (UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition), the hard drive backup copy is available for only $25. This will include a preinstalled and ready to use program, along with your installation files.
Backup copies are offered during the checkout process on our website.
Already purchased your e-delivery version, and now you wish you had a backup copy? It's not too late! If your purchase was for the current version of Band-in-a-Box®, you can still reach out to our team directly to place your backup copy order!
Note: the Band-in-a-Box® keychain is only included with flash drive backup copies, and cannot be purchased separately.
Handy flash drive tip: Always try plugging in a USB device the wrong way first? If your flash drive (or other USB plug) doesn't have a symbol to indicate which way is up, look for the side with a seam on the metal connector (it only has a line across one side) - that's the side that either faces down or to the left, depending on your port placement.
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows® Today!
Update your Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows for free with build 1111!
With this update, there's more control when saving images from the Print Preview window, we've added defaults to the MultiPicker for sorting and font size, updated printing options, updated RealTracks and other content, and addressed user-reported issues with the StylePicker, MIDI Soloists, key signature changes, and more!
A few excerpts:
"The Tracks view is possibly the single most powerful addition in 2024 and opens up a new way to edit and generate accompaniments. Combined with the new MultiPicker Library Window, it makes BIAB nearly perfect as an 'intelligent' composer/arranger program."
"MIDI SuperTracks partial generation showing six variations – each time the section is generated it can be instantly auditioned, re-generated or backed out to a previous generation – and you can do this with any track type. This is MAJOR! This takes musical experimentation and honing an arrangement to a new level, and faster than ever."
"Band in a Box continues to be an expansive musical tool-set for both novice and experienced musicians to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs, as well as an extensive educational resource. It is huge, with hundreds of functions, more than any one person is likely to ever use. Yet, so is any DAW that I have used. BIAB can do some things that no DAW does, and this year BIAB has more DAW-like functions than ever."
One of our representatives will be happy to help you over the phone. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday, and 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST Saturday. We are closed Sunday. You can also send us your questions via email.
One of our representatives will be happy to help you on our Live Chat or by email. Our hours of operation are from
6:00AM to 6:00PM PST (GMT -8) Monday thru Friday; 8:00AM to 4:00PM PST (GMT -8) Saturday; Closed Sunday.