73. What can I do to improve my sound quality in Band-in-a-Box®

Usually, this question is in reference to improving MIDI sound quality. Of course, one way of improving the sound of a MIDI track is to select a suitable RealTracks (audio) instrument for that track instead.

But to improve MIDI sound quality, it's first important to understand that Band-in-a-Box® itself doesn't actually generate the "MIDI" sounds you hear. Band-in-a-Box® writes the musical arrangements as a series of MIDI messages, and then sends the MIDI information to your soundcard or synthesizer to be played. MIDI is a standard developed in the early eighties to allow electronic instruments made by different manufacturers to communicate using a common language. The information that MIDI sends is simply an instruction to a device to perform a certain event. For example, if Band-in-a-Box® plays a middle C, it sends a message to your sound card that says 'turn on middle C'. When Band-in-a-Box® releases the note, it sends a message to the sound card that says 'turn off middle C'. So, the sounds that you hear are really generated by your sound card or MIDI module from instructions received by Band-in-a-Box®.

You choose what device Band-in-a-Box® sends MIDI information to by selecting your MIDI Output Driver in the Opt. | MIDI Driver Setup dialog. The sound you get from different MIDI devices can vary quite dramatically. Here are some ideas for how to improve your sound quality:

  • Use a DXi synth such as the Coyote Wavetable synth included with Band-in-a-Box®. Most modern computers have a MIDI output driver called the Microsoft GS Wavetable. This is a software synthesizer included with Windows. Instead of using this synth as your MIDI output driver, select the "Use DXi Synth" checkbox in the Opt. | MIDI Driver Setup dialog. This will open the DirectX/VST window, where you can select the VSC-DXi synth in the top pull-down menu (provided that it is installed on your computer. Not only will this be a dramatic improvement over the GS Wavetable, it will greatly simplify MIDI/audio sync and rendering.

  • Use other DXi or VSTi synths. There are other DXi or VSTi soft synths available, such as the Coyote ForteDXi and the TTS-1. You will want to use a synth that is General MIDI compatible. The Forte and TTS-1 are also good alternatives for 64-bit operating systems, which the VSC-DXi can't be installed on.

  • Use an external MIDI sound module / synthesizer. There are a large number and variety of MIDI modules on the market that you can connect to your computer via a MIDI interface. Sound quality and price varies widely, but in general, this will give you higher quality sounds than your sound card or a soft synth. Click here for a list of sound modules and MIDI interfaces that are currently available from PG Music Inc.

  • Check our User Forums for current suggestions from other Band-in-a-Box® users.

Of course, you will also benefit from a good amplified speaker system, rather than using the speakers that came with your computer.


Alyssa - PG Music