Previous Thread
Index
Next Thread
Print Thread
Go To
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
BIAB Family: Which DAW introduces the smallest amount of noise (signal to noise ratio)? I'm replacing my SD-80.


Having fun!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,609
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 21,609
Generally speaking, a DAW does not introduce noise.

Your interface does. So you may want to edit the question Johnny.

Signal to noise starts at the preamp. I'd consider getting a couple good preamps in whatever configuration you prefer.

For an interface many here use Focusrite (I have one, though I also have 3 Delta 1010s available and tend to beat on those more, but they are getting long in the tooth). Focusrite preamps are nice. 90db (member here) posted a nice deal in another tread.
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Scarlet2i2SG2

Your old SD had a synth on it also, didn't it? Or am I confusing models. If it did, are you comfortable splitting up audio and MIDI, or do you still want it all in one?


Make your sound your own!
.. I do not work here, but the benefits are still awesome
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
OK, rHarv! That helps a lot. Yes, my Edirol SD-80 is a hardware synth, and I don't mind mixing a hardware synth along with the RT's. And now that you mention it, my "noise" is probably coming from my powered speakers and is most likely NOT on my tracks. These "power supplies" for the compact speakers today are maybe NOT filtered as well as they should be. My noise evokes a low "B" musical note, a dead giveaway of an alternating current problem! Ya got me thinking . . . JZ


Having fun!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 9,301
Sonar X1e with a Focusrite Saffire interface on a custom built machine.

Love it.... very quiet.


You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Personally built machine (new with 4 meg RAM)
Sonar X3 Producer
Delta 44 for audio (it's an antique also but drivers work fine in Win7)
KRK Rockit 8's for monitors

Download any free trials that are available and see which interface seems more intuitive to you...then decide.

BIAB is a great program to keep one fired up.

Spend well....back to it.

Last edited by chulaivet1966; 05/26/17 04:41 PM.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,800
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,800
Johnny, that B is likely your B, or concert A, yes? We should be able to solve that one with a discussion about power (and possibly RFI).

I had an Edirol SD-80. It is made by Roland and is a MIDI synth. It does not handle audio.

I thought the SD-80 was an excellent unit. It was the first unit I connected via digital (using SP/DIF). In testing I quickly decided the digital connection sounded 'cleaner' than the analog TRS cables.


BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,645
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 20,645
Custom built computer
Sonar Platinum
Roland Octa-Capture
M-Audio SP-5B monitors

Love it - very quiet.


Me, it's not about how many times you fail, it's about how many times you get back up.
Cop, that's not how field sobriety tests work.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 14
B
Newbie
Offline
Newbie
B
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 14
i use flstudio

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
R
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
R
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,913
As rharv pointed out, the DAW software is the least likely place in your entire signal chain to introduce noise.

Any of the major brands of audio interfaces have pretty decent input and output stages for audio.

I might venture off just slightly from rharv in that if you are purchasing a prosumer level of audio interface like the majority of us in this forum, buying an external preamp may not be advised because of the inherent chance for noise and impedance mismatching that can happen by putting an external preamp and cabling into the signal chain. Many folks on this forum used to have a mixer in between their sound sources and the input of their A/D on their sound card. Not sure how many people still run that kind of setup as often it introduces low level noise unnecessarily.

Very few microphones on the market at the prosumer level that can't get sufficient gain from the preamps built into the audio interface and instead require an external preamp. Same is true for line level devices.
Most noise free signal chain is almost always the least number of cables and other devices between your sources and the input stages of your audio interface.

Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Neat! Those comments taught me. In further checking, I found the sound amplifier I WAS using was the culprit. In replacing that, all "noise" is gone. And being a "purist", I still want to sparingly use the SD-80. Anybody know where I can get a driver for that? I'm on Windows 10 Pro, 64 bit. None of the "available" ones on the internet work. But I did find one for my MAC PRO, but I need one for the PC so as to work "in tandem" with the audio. JZ


Having fun!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,800
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,800
Johnny, are you sure about the driver? They released a driver for Windows 7 and updated it for 8.1, including in 64-bit, so the one for 8.1 should be loadable into Windows 10. Are you familiar with using the Compatibility Mode when installing?

https://www.roland.com/global/support/by_product/sd-80/updates_drivers/


BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Expert
Offline
Expert
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,260
Originally Posted By: johnnyzell
Anybody know where I can get a driver for that? I'm on Windows 10 Pro, 64 bit. None of the "available" ones on the internet work.


Out of curiosity I did some research.

Don't know what hoops you're willing to go through to get the SD-80 up and running but I stumbled on this YTube video by a privateer.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-2aSb4q2Kvw

Scroll about 1/2 way down the page to a post by The Random Concept.
This process worked for his SD-80.

There's also a "Method II"....3rd vid down on the right side.

Matt: I saw that Roland site also but figured he'd tried the Win 8 drivers but didn't work.
I wonder if 64 bit OS is more of an issue than the Win 10 OS itself.
That's just a guess.


Hope that helps....

Last edited by chulaivet1966; 05/30/17 08:31 AM.
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Thanks, Chulaivet1966 Great research! Stayed with my MAC. Works fine. JZ


Having fun!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
Apprentice
OP Offline
Apprentice
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 217
I couldn't figure out the "compat" mode, Matt. For some reason, no interface would come up. So I've gone back to my "trusty" MAC. Works fine there.

Thanks, JZ


Having fun!
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 49
Enthusiast
Offline
Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 49
I have and use SONAR Plat, Reaper and Studio One ... at different times.

Work flows and features vary greatly between them and other DAW software. Your best bet is to demo all you're interested in to see which fits you best.


Win10Prox64/i7-6700@3.8G/32G / Studio One Pr 4.1.1
TASCAM US-16x08 / FaderPort / Fishman TriplePlay / Nektar LX61+
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,800
Veteran
Offline
Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 25,800
Johnny, it's a right-click on the installer's filename when in Windows File Explorer. Select: Troubleshoot Compatibility.


BIAB 2024 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 6.5 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6; Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus Studio 192, Presonus Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors
Recording, Mixing, Performance and Production
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 325
Journeyman
Offline
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 325
ProTools running on an HP Z-book, JBL speakers and ROR mix monitors.


ProTools 12, Faderport 8, Melodyne, JBL monitors, Novation UltraNova, Yamaha MX49, Stratocaster, Telecaster, Rickenbacker 12, Ovation 12, Vox VT20X amp
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Go To

Link Copied to Clipboard
ChatPG

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.

PG Music News
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."

Happy Easter! Holiday Hours...

2024 is well underway - it's already Easter Weekend!

Our Customer Service hours this weekend are:

Friday, March 29: 8-4
Saturday, March 30: 8-4
Sunday, March 31: closed

Regular hours resume Monday, April 1st - no joke!

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!

Video: Volume Automation in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created a video to help you learn more about the Volume Automation options in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows.

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Volume Automation

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#volume-automation

Video: Audio Input Monitoring with Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®

We've created this short video to explain Audio Input Monitoring within Band-in-a-Box® 2024, and included some tips & troubleshooting details too!

Band-in-a-Box® 2024: Audio Input Monitoring

3:17: Tips
5:10: Troubleshooting

www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024full/chapter11.htm#audio-input-monitoring

Video: Enhanced Melodists in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows®!

We've enhanced the Melodists feature included in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows!

Access the Melodist feature by pressing F7 in the program to open the new MultiPicker Library and locate the [Melodist] tab.

You can now generate a melody on any track in the program - very handy! Plus, you select how much of the melody you want generated - specify a range, or apply it to the whole track.

See the Melodist in action with our video, Band-in-a-Box® 2024: The Melodist Window.

Learn even more about the enhancements to the Melodist feature in Band-in-a-Box® 2024 for Windows at www.pgmusic.com/manuals/bbw2024upgrade/chapter3.htm#enhanced-melodist

Forum Statistics
Forums66
Topics81,399
Posts732,551
Members38,442
Most Online2,537
Jan 19th, 2020
Newest Members
danielsk, Mark Morgan, zagrajbarke, Ernest J, Izzy
38,442 Registered Users
Top Posters(30 Days)
MarioD 199
Al-David 132
DC Ron 115
rsdean 84
dcuny 83
Today's Birthdays
(charlie), WobblyGstring
Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5