Okay, first some ideas. MIDI is a universal music standard managed by +++MIDI.ORG +++ that allows musical ideas, such as a song project, to be shared as data, not audio, in a small file. These files typically end with the suffix .MID. Digital Audio Workstations, or DAW, such as PowerTracks Pro for example creates project files (.SEQ in this example) that can contain audio, MIDI data and DAW specific song project information.
One problem is some way is needed for the same instrument sound to play on every machine when a .MID file is played on different machines. Problem two is some way is needed for multiple instrument sounds to play on every machine when a .MID file is played on different machines.
The MIDI standard created an instrument list that assigns a number to each instrument. That list is called General MIDI or GM. PG Music uses this list and it is available +++ HERE +++. That is why you see numbers beside the name of MIDI instrument.
There are more instrument name assignment lists. Yamaha has the XG list, Roland has the GS llist and MIDI.org has the GM level 2, or GM2, list. There are more lists. You can compare the different lists +++ HERE +++. But, be aware that the overwhelming majority of midi files available on the internet use the GM list.
So, that is why a piano sounds like a piano when you play a .MID file on your phone, in PowerTracks Pro or on many consumer electronic keyboards.
Now for the second problem. How do we separate piano data from bass data, from drum data and so on? The MIDI standard identifies the data for each instrument with a channel number of 1 to 16. PowerTracks Pro matches the channels to a track.
You can see what I'm saying in the RealBand screen shot I've included.
Last edited by Jim Fogle; 10/26/2406:27 PM. Reason: RealBand screen shot used because I don't have PowerTracks Pro Audio
brilliant explanation. kudos. this should be a FAQ sticky imho.
Craig.
there are lots of tutorials on the net re midi includeing you tube. in addition there are lots of 'midi tricks' that can be used. to name one...for example how to create a drum solo without the laborious task of manual entry.
ive done this yesterday as one example of thousands of midi tracks ive done in rb. in this case an orchestral midi track. 1..genned a midi track in rb. 2..inserted a free instrument plugin vsti on the track. 3..selected a orchestral instrument from the loads available eg violin or whatever. and away i go.
the beauty of midi is on any pc clunky or power monster its fast.
theres lots of tricks re creating midi tracks.
to save me more typing... see my various tips in pg tips forum includeing some free instrument plugins and links to more plugins. software instruments is a vast topic with lots of free and paid suppliers. also check out synthfont and synthmaster and sforzando included with many pg packages.
happiness.
om
Last edited by justanoldmuso; 10/26/2404:59 AM.
my songs....mixed for good earbuds...(fyi..my vocs on all songs..) https://soundcloud.com/alfsongs (90 songs created useing bb/rb) (lots of tips of mine in pg tips forum.)
yes Right click a track and select Port .. you have 16 physical to choose from & 32 for soft synth (MIDI). Audio track port counts depend on connected audio devices available.
Last edited by rharv; 10/28/2411:02 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Hi, rharv I wanted to get back to you. I know about the midi ports and the audio ports. I was wanting to use two midi ports simultaneously to layer some sounds as I played live. Other than that, I use Pt. pretty much for everything I do. It has been stable with my new pc, not using much CPU. I've done some live sessions, recording multiple tracks and PT. did a good job. I find myself always going back to Pt. because it has been the easiest daw for me. I actually put out a CD back in 2005, using pt and the on board soundcard. Recorded a lot jam session when I was using two delta 1010lts, that worked great with win xp. I've now been using a Roland studio capture for several years. I found another on reverb for a good price. Two of those could be used to get 32 channels. I haven't had any issues with the one and have hear people having success using two at a time. I don't think I would have any issues with pt running two machines. By the way, I'm using windows 11 with internet off when recording. I have cakewalk and I use the tts instrument for midi sounds not too bad, but I may go back to my hardware synths, triton 76le and a 61le. I'm a guitarist but I like the sounds of those keyboards. I can play guitar, bass, and drum parts, but I have to grab the transpose button when it comes to keyboard. I can play pretty much anything in Db C#, but other than that, I have gotten lazy.
MIDI splitters are easy to find ... one controller splits to multiple sound sources .. Inside PT, I guess you could copy the track and send each track to different ports.
/it bummed me out when they stopped supporting the old PCI and the Deltas had to go //same thing happened with my RAP-10 card WAY back in the day. I kept an old W95 machine alive for a few years longer than necessary just to have access to it
Last edited by rharv; 10/30/2403:53 PM.
I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome Make your sound your own!
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: VST3 Plugin Support
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac® now includes support for VST3 plugins, alongside VST and AU. Use them with MIDI or audio tracks for even more creative possibilities in your music production.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Macs®: VST3 Plugin Support
Video: Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac®: Using VST3 Plugins
With the release of Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac, we’re rolling out a collection of brand-new videos on our YouTube channel. We’ll also keep this forum post updated so you can easily find all the latest videos in one convenient spot.
From overviews of new features and walkthroughs of the 202 new RealTracks, to highlights of XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAKs 18, the 2025 49-PAK, and in-depth tutorials — you’ll find everything you need to explore what’s new in Band-in-a-Box® 2025.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac is here, packed with major new features and an incredible collection of available new content! This includes 202 RealTracks (in Sets 449-467), plus 20 bonus Unreleased RealTracks in the 2025 49-PAK. There are new RealStyles, MIDI SuperTracks, Instrumental Studies, “Songs with Vocals” Artist Performance Sets, Playable RealTracks Set 4, two new sets of “RealDrums Stems,” XPro Styles PAK 8, Xtra Styles PAK 19, and more!
Special Offers
Upgrade to Band-in-a-Box® 2025 for Mac with savings of up to 50% on most upgrade packages during our special—available until July 31, 2025! Visit our Band-in-a-Box® packages page for all the purchase options available.
2025 Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK Add-ons
We've packed our Free Bonus PAK & 49-PAK with some incredible Add-ons! The Free Bonus PAK is automatically included with most Band-in-a-Box® for Mac 2025 packages, but for even more Add-ons (including 20 Unreleased RealTracks!) upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49. You can see the full lists of items in each package, and listen to demos here.
If you have any questions, feel free to connect with us directly—we’re here to help!
Cari amici
È stata aggerate la versione in Italiano del programma più amato dagli appassionati di musica, il nostro Band-in-a-Box.
Questo è il link alla nuova versione 2025.
Di seguito i link per scaricare il pacchetti di lingua italiana aggiornati per Band-in-a-Box e RealBand, anche per chi avesse già comprato la nuova versione in inglese.
Band-in-a-Box® 2025 pour Windows est disponible en Français.
Le téléchargement se fait à partir du site PG Music
Pour ceux qui auraient déjà acheté la version 2025 de Band-in-a-Box (et qui donc ont une version anglaise), il est possible de "franciser" cette version avec les patchs suivants:
Band-in-a-Box 2025 für Windows Deutsch ist verfügbar!
Die deutsche Version Band-in-a-Box® 2025 für Windows ist ab sofort verfügbar!
Alle die bereits die englische Version von Band-in-a-Box und RealBand 2024 installiert haben, finden hier die Installationsdateien für das Sprachenupdate:
Update Your Band-in-a-Box® 2025 to Build 1128 for Windows Today!
Already using Band-in-a-Box 2025 for Windows®? Download Build 1128 now from our Support Page to enjoy the latest enhancements and improvements from our team.
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.
Dansk
Deutsch - Windows
Español
Français - Windows
Italiano - Windows
Nederlands
Polski
Português
Svenskt
русский
Japanese
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Korean