After I save the file as a MP3 from BB and open the properties in windows it is a .wav. An the size of a .wav. 60 to 80mb
When I first got the program I had lost my MP3 converter and had to buy a new one as I seldom ever used it in Sonar. BB said at that point it could not convert to MP3 because there was not MP3 converter software on my computer.
I think I tested it when I installed the converter and it worked but I did not save the file.
I am going to Sonar now to see if Sonar will connvert as a test.
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
I wonder if Biab needs the codec in it's main BB folder?
I remember having to use Audacity for Mp3 conversions from Biab. I have been using .WMA from Biab and it has converted my files nicely. I haven't tried an Mp3 yet, so we may need a codec in the BB folder.
Hopefully, one of the PG Support team members will see this and chime in as well.
Well,...I went back and tested the MP3 converter in Sonar with no issue.
In BB when I convert there is a screen that pops up that has two windows, one says MPEG Layer-3...gives you no other option and attrbutes which is blank and I can not inter info in.This window would only pop up when BB is using a MP3 converter...
I can always put the file in Sonar to convert and Sonar gives me more or less total control...to many options to list here. I really like the encoder ID3 info function.
I got the encoder from Cakewalk and paid for it so I will go look where the .exe is and copy the file to BB dir.
We will see...
Billy
Last edited by Planobilly; 08/01/1501:00 PM.
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
BIAB requires the codec to be loaded into Windows; it doesn't use a separate DLL or EXE like other programs do.
The default available in Windows is lo-res MP3 (I think the best you get is 80 kbps), so you would need to install another one to get 128, 192, 256, or 320 kbps encoding.
You can install the LAME Codec, but you have to install the ACM version to get it into Windows, which means following the instructions carefully and as administrator.
You might want to also try the K-Lite CODEC Pack (but if you do, install it carefully, so as not to also install the other adware crap contained in the installer) and see if that does it for you as well.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
Also keep in mind that unless there's a specific reason that mp3 is better, saving as wma may well do the job for you. The compression is pretty much the same as mp3.
I tend to use wma when I need compression these days. My reason for doing this is because I think it sounds a little better and also because it's the compression format that PG Music uses with their Realtracks/Realdrums. Why PG Music chose it I don't know but they would have researched both formats before settling on one.
All the best, Noel
P.S. Try right-clicking on the BIAB shortcut, selecting properties and then setting the Admin privileges on. This may well solve your problem (as you mention).
I just re ran the install for the MP3 codex and it works fine in Sonar but BB is now telling me there is no codex.
Never thought about using.wma...I assume I can up load to soundcloud and other sites in .wma...well...not to CD Baby.
The reason for compression is I want to upload a large amount of backing tracks to soundcloud. I have a pro account so I guess space is not an issue...not sure if there is a limit with pro.
I am creating a web site for backing tracks....one of the reasons for buying BB and want people to be able to download mp3.
I now remember that this worked in BB before I got Audiophile so something in the install did not go right I guess. I am sure the help desk can show me how to fix this issue.
Thanks,
Billy
EDIT: Tried the admin bit...no go
Last edited by Planobilly; 08/01/1502:44 PM.
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
Never thought about using.wma...I assume I can up load to soundcloud and other sites in .wma...well...not to CD Baby.
Billy,
I only use Soundcloud so I can't offer advice on the others but with S/cloud, I always upload the full .wav file.
My reason for this is that whatever one uploads, S/cloud runs it through their compressing software. So if a compressed file is uploaded, it will get doubly compressed. This can introduce audio artifacts. By uploading a .wav, the best possible quality is obtained.
Also, for what it's worth...
When I used to create mp3s for uploading (I don't use those sites now), I used a separate freeware program called Free Audio Convertor found here.
It's a great program and offers a huge amount of control over the creation of mp3s and many other audio formats.
For example, I used to use variable bitrate mp3s and here are my Fre:Ac settings...
I set the minimum and maximum bitrates and I also set the program to stereo rather than joint stereo. (Joint stereo sounds fine, though.)
Lastly, I set the maximum and minimum frequencies. This made a noticeable difference on the final file size because without these set, compression is applied across the board and many frequencies are irrelevant. The 20 Hz to 12,000 Hz didn't seem to cause major quality sacrifice (to my ears, at least).
Did you install the LAME Encoder executable or the LAME ACM? They are not the same thing. You need the LAME ACM for it to work with BIAB; BIAB won't use the executable version, you have to install the ACM version, which makes it available from within Windows.
When you unzip the download, be sure to read the information in the file: "HOWTO Install LAME-ACM on x64.txt", as it explains how to install it on a 64-bit system.
Don't remember if you have to reboot afterwards or not, but LAME should now be available to you to select from BIAB.
I know RHarv understands this stuff better than me, so if he says this, maybe he can offer up something more.
John
Laptop-HP Omen I7 Win11Pro 32GB 2x2TB, 1x4TB SSD Desktop-ASUS-I7 Win10Pro 32GB 2x1.5TB, 2x2TB, 1x4TB SATA
Good stuff to know. I never had much idea how to try to set the low/high pass filters. I also have not used the VBR setting.
In general I always use .wav and upload to soundcloud that way.
Bandcamp will only except uncompressed files .wav and FLAC and AIFF for very good reasons...no need to open the forty pound book on uploads here.
I may find that MP3 upload is of no real use to me...just looking to the future for what I have in mind to do.
I do use mp3 for down and dirty quick files to send to someone when we are working on something needing minimal sound quality so converting them in BB is useful.
Also ohm studio requires .wav for windows users. I use to be on that site a good bit but but not so much any more.
This issue is not pressing ATM in any event but I have learned a good bit from you in the above post.
Thanks,
Billy
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
I have been not wanting to put two versions of LAME on the machine because of some stuff I read in Sonar help which I did not get into deep enough to fully understand about having more than one codex on the computer. May or may not be a issue.
The encoder I installed I bought from Cakewalk for Sonar. I saw somewhere in the download of a .wav in Sonar being converted to mp3 the word LAME, just why I assumed that was the codex being used.
I am almost 99% sure it worked at least once with the first 2015 version of BB I got.
Because BB is saying now there is no codex it may just not know the path to the software. Also the encoder that Sonar is using is a .exe in shared utilities.
I will go check out the LAME ACM.
Thanks,
Billy
EDIT: This is perhaps the issue...If you want to install LAME ACM MP3 Codec to an x64 platform, the set up procedure can become a little complicated and you are advised to read the documentation you find in the package.
I may try this download on another computer first.
Last edited by Planobilly; 08/01/1504:36 PM.
New location, new environment, new music coming soon
Seize the moo-ment If you feel like you’ve herd all these cow puns before, you probably have deja-moo
The difference is that BiaB uses the codecs available in the OS. Using the OS codecs is easier and requires less support; not a matter of being better, preferable or otherwise. It works out of the box. WMA usually works fine but does not offer all the options of good MP3 converters.
I have a legal Fraunhofer codec installed, as well as the LAME install John mentioned. They offer different options in RB and list themselves separately. As mentioned, PGMusic products do indeed force you to save to WAV first, then convert .. which would be fine IF it got rid of the original wav file afterwards. It doesn't. It leaves a 0kb file on your disk. This irritates me to no end. The following screen shots show my conversion options and the resulting empty file. I assume everyone else experiences this but just doesn't notice. /* Also: I wish we could include the uploaded screen shots here in selected position without having to upload elsewhere to have control */
First image: forced wav merge down (even tough the window says 'compressed') Second image: MP3 options on my system listing LAME separately from MP3 (YMMV) third image: Lame merge options fourth image: Fraunhofer options fifth image: resulting leftover (useless) .wav file with same name (FWIW the test.seq file is unrelated, just happened to be in the list) ...
Make your sound your own! .. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
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