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We have about 15 tunes that we do for our care facilities gigs. Our backups are from BIAB, Playalong cd's, and karaoke cd's and/or downloads. I've been using MP3 Gain for sometime but even with that I still have to adjust the volume on some tunes. Today, I decided to try some other software. I found about 3-4 other programs via Google. I downloaded and tried 3 of them. It was immediately obvious that the creators of these programs were not English speaking. I don't really care about that except that they didn't get a competent translator. I thought this interesting since some of their websites were pretty elaborate and appeared that there was no language problem. I've got no problem with someone trying to make a buck, but the trial limitations on these programs were such that you were pretty much limited to one try with batch processing. That would be fine if you knew the program, but some didn't even have a Help feature. In the end, I uninstalled all of "gain normalize" software and went back to the one I've been using, "MP3Gain". Ironically, I would have gladly paid for a program if it worked as advertised. I guess that I'm thinking that there really isn't a program out there that can make volume on each file, within a group, to have the same volume as all of the other files. Obviously my knowledge of sound mechanics is limited and I've come to learn that vocals cannot really be separated out without a lot of work and specialized equipment. I'm learning to play my trumpet better one-handed as I make volume adustments. Actually, it's sort of like turning chart pages.  I would think that there would be a market for software to both normalize and adjust volume via batch processing. Am I really dumb about this or what? Stan Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Stan,
Audacity has a "normalize" function that will boost or cut the level of a selection of audio files so that all the peaks will be the same level. It will process an unlimited number of files (limited only by your computer's processing capabilities).
The challenge lies in the fact that some digital audio files are heavily compressed, so that the peaks will be the same from file to file, but perceived sound volume will vary greatly depending on the degree of compression.
My suggestion: use Audacity, or your favourite audio editor, to get each of your backing track files leveled, EQed and compressed to suit your ear - one file at a time.
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you could put a volume pedal between the CD player and your PA. That way you can make adjustments on the fly if necessary while keeping both hands on the trumpet
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Journeyman
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Quote:
My suggestion: use Audacity, or your favourite audio editor, to get each of your backing track files leveled, EQed and compressed to suit your ear - one file at a time.
+1
and, Audacity is free.
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Setting the volume on individual files is what I've been doing with WavePad and Real Band. However, the vol levels within a group of tunes varies so I have to adjust manually. After my last post, I tried album analysis rather than track analysis on MP3Gain with much better results. I had not thought of using a foot pedal and I'm probably too uncoordinated to use it. I've heard a lot of good things about Audacity and am wondering why I bought Mixcraft since I never seem to get around to learning it. I save everything to .wav and have been doing all of my compressing to mp3 via WavePad--a pretty simple pgm to learn. I haven't had good luck in trying to save to mp3 in BIAB or RB. I think it may be due to my SD2 setup. I've been using 160 rather than 128 in WavePad which does seem to provide better quality. Thanks for your responses.
Stan
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Journeyman
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Quote:
I haven't had good luck in trying to save to mp3 in BIAB or RB. I think it may be due to my SD2 setup.
nothing to do with your setup, BIAB and RB do not export .mp3 files
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Quote:
Quote:
I haven't had good luck in trying to save to mp3 in BIAB or RB. I think it may be due to my SD2 setup.
nothing to do with your setup, BIAB and RB do not export .mp3 files
In my BIAB 2012 version, if you click the .WAV button, under "Render To Audio", there's another butgton labeled "Save In Other Audio Format and MP3", but with an external synth, I've only been able to use "*(Re)-Render to WAV File...".
In Real Band, if you right click on a track, one item on the list is "Save Audio Track (or selection)as wav/wma/mp4/mp4a/mp3..." I haven't tried saving to mp3 in Real Band except to save an existing mp3 file that I've edited. I use Trim and Normalize in WavePad and convert to mp3 there also.
I'm going to try Audicity and see if it works better than MP3Gain for batch processing.
Cornet Curmudgeon
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Apprentice
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I use a vol pedal because no matter how even the tracks are sometimes I need to make a slight adjustment.
- Bud
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Sony's CD Architect has a by-track Normalize function. Not that I use it. 
Best, Tom SmithWin10/64 • i7-8700K • 24 GB RAM BIAB 2024 • Reaper 7 • Izotope MPS AKG C1000S • IK iRig I/O Pro
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Normalize is not the end-all. It simply boosts the loudest part of a song to a specified level (0db or -3db are common). So take two songs, song A has a couple of very loud peaks and song B has a pretty consistent volume with no loud peaks. Normalize both. Song A will have the loud peaks boosted to the ceiling while the rest of the song might be 6db lower than the peaks. Song B will have the not so loud peaks boosted to the ceiling while the rest of the song might be only 1db lower than the peaks. The net result will be the bulk of song A will be 5db lower than song B and it will not sound nearly as loud. And that's the problem with the normalize function. To get around that you might try Power Tracks Pro Audio. It has a function where you can boost the volume of song A in the example above without running the peaks through the ceiling (I assume it has some kind of peak limiter/compression factor in the routine). You have to use your ears a lot. That's one reason why mastering engineers can charge the big bucks that they do I have over 500 songs that I've done myself. When I learn a new one, I try to match the volumes as best as I can with my ears in my home studio. However, when I get on the gig and do it for the first time the backing track might still be a little low or loud, so I tweak it a bit and try again the next night. Usually it's right the first or second time, 3 tries is uncommon and the most it has ever taken me is 5 tries. If all this was easy, people wouldn't pay me to have so much fun at their party!!! Insights and incites by Notes
Bob "Notes" Norton  Norton Music
https://www.nortonmusic.com
100% MIDI Super-Styles recorded by live, pro, studio musicians for a live groove
& Fake Disks for MIDI and/or RealTracks
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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.
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Update Your PowerTracks Pro Audio 2024 Today!
The Newest RealBand 2024 Update is Here!
The newest RealBand 2024 Build 5 update is now available!
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.
This free update is available to all RealBand 2024 users. To learn more about this update and download it, head to www.pgmusic.com/support.realband.htm#20245
The Band-in-a-Box® Flash Drive Backup Option
Today (April 5) is National Flash Drive Day!
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!
Learn more about this free update for Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/support_windowsupdates.htm#1111
Band-in-a-Box® 2024 Review: 4.75 out of 5 Stars!
If you're looking for a in-depth review of the newest Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows version, you'll definitely find it with Sound-Guy's latest review, Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows Review: Incredible new capabilities to experiment, compose, arrange and mix songs.
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."
Convenient Ways to Listen to Band-in-a-Box® Songs Created by Program Users!
The User Showcase Forum is an excellent place to share your Band-in-a-Box® songs and listen to songs other program users are creating!
There are other places you can listen to these songs too! Visit our User Showcase page to sort by genre, artist (forum name), song title, and date - each listing will direct you to the forum post for that song.
If you'd rather listen to these songs in one place, head to our Band-in-a-Box® Radio, where you'll have the option to select the genre playlist for your listening pleasure. This page has SoundCloud built in, so it won't redirect you. We've also added the link to the Artists SoundCloud page here, and a link to their forum post.
We hope you find some inspiration from this amazing collection of User Showcase Songs!
Congratulations to the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
We've just announced the 2023 User Showcase Award Winners!
There are 45 winners, each receiving a Band-in-a-Box 2024 UltraPAK! Read the official announcement to see if you've won.
Our User Showcase Forum receives more than 50 posts per day, with people sharing their Band-in-a-Box songs and providing feedback for other songs posted.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed!
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