I went to Sweetwater and grabbed the Dream Machine package for $29 along with two MIDI packs for $10 each (Drama and Hooks & Chords).
I downloaded and installed the whole thing and I can see this is going to be quite a lot of fun! As much as I like the keys that came with I look forward to a sale on a piano so I can use this with basic piano sounds though.
Thanks to Dan for starting this thread and turning me on to EZKeys as well as answering my questions.
Thanks to Floyd for patiently answering my questions in perfect detail.
Thanks to Pipeline for always helping with tech tips to get the most out of these tools.
Thanks to Mario for being a resident MIDI supporter and expert for those of us who know nothing about it.
...However, the ToonTrack website also offers +++ EZmix2 +++ for $39 US. If, like me, you're not an experienced mixer this is a fantastic deal. The EZmix2 plug-in does a couple of things that greatly help beginners. First it puts together an effects chain appropriate to the instrument, vocalist, buss or to master. Second each effects chain has two rotary controls that can be used to fine tune the settings to your taste.
Sale prices are available at the ToonTracks website until December 02.
Thanks Jim, I got EZMix 2 and the Mastering pack, and got out of there quick before I saw anything else.
Sweetwater has the Dream Machine package for $29 US. The same package on the ToonTrack website is $39 US.
It's $36 on the toontrack site actually, not $39.
I'm hoping they will offer some of the EZDrummer midi expansion packs on sale at some point, so far not. Most of the EZX sound expansion packages are on sale however, I picked up Southern Soul and will probably get at least one more before the sale is over.
...I look forward to a sale on a piano so I can use this with basic piano sounds though.
Toontracks has traditionally done a "12 Days to Christmas Sale". There has always been an EZKeys offer then (I got all of mine then)...and at least one more MIDI pack...
I am actually not a personal fan of the e-pianos and the synths. I once won a free version of IK Multimedia Syntronic just by entering the contest (can't win if you don't enter). So I have a boat load of vintage sounding synths at my disposal.
For EZKeys I have the Grand for pure piano and several of the e-pianos - all from sales over the years. I also have the "String Machine" which I picked up years back. And I pick up most of the midi packs when ever they drop below $10.
But now I have just realize this current sale is the "Dream Machine". I thought this was the "Sting machine". [Who makes this stuff up?] I don't have this one. And here I am telling you folks this is a no brainer and I have not even considered buying it since I thought I had it. So I spent some time listening to the String machine - ya more e-piano, but, come on it is less than $30. That is well below my pain threshold. So I have put it in my Shopping cart over at Sweetwater and will likely pull the trigger later today.
They are RealPlaying as well as a sample set. The Guitars and Bass will follow the BB Chord Output midi. The Drums are RealPlaying also and have a sample set as well.
Man, what a bunch of great deals. I only picked up their free player last summer but it put me on their mailing list. I just checked out the link I got this morning and there's some tasty stuff at these prices. With all the positive comments I just may pull the trigger on everything and figure it out later. Hey, it's a hobby, right?
I'm hoping they will offer some of the EZDrummer midi expansion packs on sale at some point, so far not. Most of the EZX sound expansion packages are on sale however, I picked up Southern Soul and will probably get at least one more before the sale is over.
Today they added a few EZD2 midi expansion packs for sale, 66% off. I'm going to pick up a couple of them.
Also two of the EZX sound expansions at 75% off (the rest are also on sale for 40% off). Need to audition them first to see if they are something I would use.
Sweetwater has the Dream Machine package for $29 US. The same package on the ToonTrack website is $39 US.
However, the ToonTrack website also offers +++ EZmix2 +++ for $39 US. If, like me, you're not an experienced mixer this is a fantastic deal. The EZmix2 plug-in does a couple of things that greatly help beginners. First it puts together an effects chain appropriate to the instrument, vocalist, buss or to master. Second each effects chain has two rotary controls that can be used to fine tune the settings to your taste.
Sale prices are available at the ToonTracks website until December 02.
Thanks Jim and Pipeline. This sounds great. One Q: Will it work with RealBand? Mike
I just tried it and it seems to work ok. The Mastering one you can load on the master in the mixer then load one on each track. To have all the VST windows open you can use PluginFlipFlop Free if you have JBridge or MiniHost Free You just load FlipFlop or MiniHost then load EZMix in them.
Thanks Pipeline. If this product is half as good as the website makes out it will be a great help. I think I will head there now. Yes, it is a bit warm today. Where are you from? Cheers, Mike
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."
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[Who makes this stuff up?] I don't have this one. And here I am telling you folks this is a no brainer and I have not even considered buying it since I thought I had it. 
So I spent some time listening to the String machine - ya more e-piano, but, come on it is less than $30. That is well below my pain threshold. So I have put it in my Shopping cart over at Sweetwater and will likely pull the trigger later today.
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