I've found that exporting separate tracks in wav format produces wave files which are heavily clipped if I check the "normalise" boxes. Is this a known bug? (Band-in-a-Box® for Windows, Version 2022 (927), 64 bit)
I don't recall that this is a known bug in last year's version. It might be worth checking in version 2023, however, so please provide the steps you took.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Roland Integra-7, Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
Where is that then? I don't see any normalise settings in the BIAB export audio section. In any case "normalise" is "normalise", i.e. amplify the wave so that the highest peak level is at digital FSD.
I've found that exporting separate tracks in wav format produces wave files which are heavily clipped if I check the "normalise" boxes. Is this a known bug? (Band-in-a-Box® for Windows, Version 2022 (927), 64 bit)
Not enough information to guess what you are doing wrong.
BIAB 2024 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
One thing to check is are the tracks clipping prior to normalizing?
No, of course not, as proved by; if I don't check the normalise boxes the exported tracks are not clipped.
OK great. It wasn't clear that you did that in your initial post.
All I can suggest is the return to factory settings and if the problem continues then it is a bug.
As far as I know there are no settings for normalize in BiaB. I never use a normalizer that doesn't have settings. The free Audacity has a normalizer with settings if you need one.
I got banned from Weight Watchers for dropping a bag of M&Ms on the floor. It was the best game of Hungry Hippos I've ever seen!
64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware
I've found that exporting separate tracks in wav format produces wave files which are heavily clipped if I check the "normalise" boxes. Is this a known bug? (Band-in-a-Box® for Windows, Version 2022 (927), 64 bit)
Not enough information to guess what you are doing wrong.
It's quite simple but I'll spell it out. I have arranged a song by inputting chords to BIAB. I choose a stock BIAB style. It plays back fine; drums, bass, 2 x guitars and piano.
I then want wav files to use in my DAW (Adobe Audition) so I choose audio > export > wav, I check one wav for each instrument, then "render" and save to a location on my PC. I get one wav file per instrument.
If I leave the "normalise" options unchecked everything is fine, but the waveforms do not use the full dynamic range available. If I check "normalise" all the tracks are amplified up to greater than digital FSD, i.e they are "clipped".
Seems like the BIAB software guys don't understand what "normalise" means or am I missing something?
You're clicking on the WAV button on the File toolbar and then choosing "Export Song as Audio File". That brings up the Render to Audio File window, correct?
Do you have the bit depth set for "32 bit IEEE"? That will cause a render to clip every time.
You're clicking on the WAV button on the File toolbar and then choosing "Export Song as Audio File". That brings up the Render to Audio File window, correct? Do you have the bit depth set for "32 bit IEEE"? That will cause a render to clip every time.
Correct. This, plus rharv's comment, were great clues as to what was happening. When I exported with normalise checked and used 16bit PCM / 44.1kHz (which is the same as the native setting in my DAW) there was no clipping.
If I leave the "normalise" options unchecked everything is fine, but the waveforms do not use the full dynamic range available. If I check "normalise" all the tracks are amplified up to greater than digital FSD, i.e they are "clipped".
Seems like the BIAB software guys don't understand what "normalise" means or am I missing something?
You are missing something. Any multitrack session will behave exactly as yours if every track is normalized first.
Mixing involves summing the results of those tracks. If they’re already at peak before you combine, they will clip. 1+1+1+1+1+1 does not = 1 but that’s what you are expecting. The more tracks, the worse it gets.
For the last 3 years, I have been making virtual choirs for churches. The tracks I get sometimes require Normalization — but then I back off. -3dB if under 8 tracks, -6dB if under 12 tracks and so on… Gotta give the mix some headroom. You aren’t doing that.
Stop normalizing tracks that don’t need it (never seen a BIAB track that did).
A couple things that helped me were to convert all tracks to 32 bit float on import (a huge improvement in headroom) and find a musical limiter, the bx_limiter True Peak from BrainWorx. bx_limiter True Peak They often have it on sale. Yesterday, it was $24.95. Most limiters cannot handle what I need for various reasons.
BIAB 2024 Audiophile Mac 24Core/60CoreGPU M2 MacStudioUltra/8TB/192GB Sequoia, M1 MBAir, 2012 MBP Digital Performer11, LogicPro, Finale27/Dorico/Encore/SmartScorePro64/Notion6 /Overture5
I tried this in both 2022 and 2023, and did not have any clipping - tested with 16-bit and 24-bit. One thing that can affect this is having any of the faders in the mixer set above 0 (or 90 when reading MIDI values), or the master faders at the bottom of the mixer (see the screenshot below). If any of the faders are above zero, this will affect the rendered files, and it will be made worse when using the normalizer to increase the volume of each track.
You might not have heard clipping when playing the song back in BIAB, as BIAB has a built-in peak limiter, which will stop the audio from clipping. That limiter is only used when playing back, not when rendering - this is because users might want to use their own plugins for compression and limiting.
Originally Posted By: ricobasso
Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
check your settings for the normalize function.
Where is that then? I don't see any normalise settings in the BIAB export audio section. In any case "normalise" is "normalise", i.e. amplify the wave so that the highest peak level is at digital FSD.
There are different ways to normalize audio. BIAB normalizes the loudest peak to 0dB FS. Other normalizers have settings to normalize to any dB level you choose, and some allow you to normalize to an RMS value.
Originally Posted By: ricobasso
the waveforms do not use the full dynamic range available
The audio files for BIAB typically use dynamic compression, so they don't usually use the full dynamic range anyway. If you were to render two files, one with normalization and one without, they would be able to completely null each other in a null test - in other words, apart from an amplitude offset, the audio is bit-for-bit exactly the same either way.
Originally Posted By: Mike Halloran
You are missing something. Any multitrack session will behave exactly as yours if every track is normalized first.
I read ricobasso's original post as meaning each individual track was clipping in isolation. Is that the case rico, or are all the tracks summed together clipping?
Last edited by Simon - PG Music; 05/23/2312:29 PM.
We’ve expanded the Band-in-a-Box® RealTracks library with 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 449-467) across Jazz, Blues, Funk, World, Pop, Rock, Country, Americana, and Praise & Worship—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Blues & World (Sets 449–455):
These RealTracks includes “Soul Jazz” with Neil Swainson (bass), Mike Clark (drums), Charles Treadway (organ), Miles Black (piano), and Brent Mason (guitar). Enjoy “Requested ’60s” jazz, classic acoustic blues with Colin Linden, and more of our popular 2-handed piano soloing. Plus, a RealTracks first—Tango with bandoneon, recorded in Argentina!
Rock & Pop (Sets 456–461):
This collection includes Disco, slap bass ‘70s/‘80s pop, modern and ‘80s metal with Andy Wood, and a unique “Songwriter Potpourri” featuring Chinese folk instruments, piano, banjo, and more. You’ll also find a muted electric guitar style (a RealTracks first!) and “Producer Layered Guitar” styles for slick "produced" sound.
Country, Americana & Praise (Sets 462–467):
We’ve added new RealTracks across bro country, Americana, praise & worship, vintage country, and songwriter piano. Highlights include Brent Mason (electric guitar), Eddie Bayers (drums), Doug Jernigan (pedal steel), John Jarvis (piano), Glen Duncan (banjo, mandolin & fiddle), Mike Harrison (electric bass) and more—offering everything from modern sounds to heartfelt Americana styles
And, if you are looking for more, the 2025 49-PAK (for $49) includes an additional 20 RealTracks with exciting new sounds and genre-spanning styles. Enjoy RealTracks firsts like Chinese instruments (guzheng & dizi), the bandoneon in an authentic Argentine tango trio, and the classic “tic-tac” baritone guitar for vintage country.
You’ll also get slick ’80s metal guitar from Andy Wood, modern metal with guitarist Nico Santora, bass player Nick Schendzielos, and drummer Aaron Stechauner, more praise & worship, indie-folk, modern/bro country with Brent Mason, and “Songwriter Americana” with Johnny Hiland.
Plus, enjoy user-requested styles like Soul Jazz RealDrums, fast Celtic Strathspey guitar, and Chill Hop piano & drums!
With your version 2025 for Mac Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, Audiophile Edition or PlusPAK purchase, we'll include a Bonus PAK full of great new Add-ons FREE! Or upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for only $49 to receive even more NEW Add-ons including 20 additional RealTracks!
These PAKs are loaded with additional add-ons to supercharge your Band-in-a-Box®!
This Free Bonus PAK includes:
The 2025 RealCombos Booster PAK:
-For Pro customers, this includes 33 new RealTracks and 65+ new RealStyles.
-For MegaPAK customers, this includes 29 new RealTracks and 45+ new RealStyles.
-For UltraPAK customers, this includes 20 new RealStyles.
Look Ma! More MIDI 13: Country & Americana
Instrumental Studies Set 22: 2-Hand Piano Soloing - Rhythm Changes
MIDI SuperTracks Set 44: Jazz Piano
Artist Performance Set 17: Songs with Vocals 7
Playable RealTracks Set 4
RealDrums Stems Set 7: Jazz with Mike Clark
SynthMaster Sounds and Styles (with audio demos)
128 GM MIDI Patch Audio Demos.
Looking for more great add-ons, then upgrade to the 2025 49-PAK for just $49 and you'll get:
20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyles,
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
Look Ma! More MIDI 14: SynthMaster,
Instrumental Studies Set 23: More '80s Hard Rock Soloing,
MIDI SuperTracks Set 45: More SynthMaster
Artist Performance Set 18: Songs with Vocals 8
RealDrums Stems Set 8: Pop, Funk & More with Jerry Roe
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Mac!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Mac!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Mac & Windows Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
New! Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and Higher for Windows!
Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) is here with 200 brand new RealStyles!
We're excited to bring you our latest and greatest in the all new Xtra Styles PAK 20 for Band-in-a-Box! This fresh installment is packed with 200 all-new styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres you've come to expect, as well as the exciting inclusion of electronic styles!
In this PAK you’ll discover: Minimalist Modern Funk, New Wave Synth Pop, Hard Bop Latin Groove, Gospel Country Shuffle, Cinematic Synthwave, '60s Motown, Funky Lo-Fi Bossa, Heavy 1980s Metal, Soft Muted 12-8 Folk, J-Pop Jazz Fusion, and many more!
All the Xtra Styles PAKs 1 - 20 are on special for only $29 each (reg $49), or get all 209 PAKs for $199 (reg $399)! Order now!
Note: The Xtra Styles require the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition of Band-in-a-Box®. (Xtra Styles PAK 20 requires the 2025 or higher UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition. They will not work with the Pro or MegaPAK version because they need the RealTracks from the UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, or Audiophile Edition.
New! XPro Styles PAK 9 for Band-in-a-Box 2025 and higher for Windows!
We've just released XPro Styles PAK 9 for Windows & Mac Band-in-a-Box version 2025 (and higher) with 100 brand new RealStyles, plus 29 RealTracks/RealDrums!
We've been hard at it to bring you the latest and greatest in this 9th installment of our popular XPro Styles PAK series! Included are 75 styles spanning the rock & pop, jazz, and country genres (25 styles each) that fans have come to expect, as well as 25 styles in this volume's wildcard genre: funk & R&B!
If you're itching to get a sneak peek at what's included in XPro Styles PAK 9, here is a small helping of what you can look forward to: Funky R&B Horns, Upbeat Celtic Rock, Jazz Fusion Salsa, Gentle Indie Folk, Cool '60s Soul, Funky '70s R&B, Smooth Jazz Hip Hop, Acoustic Rockabilly Swing, Funky Reggae Dub, Dreamy Retro Latin Jazz, Retro Soul-Rock Fusion, and much more!
Special Pricing! Until July 31, 2024, all the XPro Styles PAKs 1 - 9 are on sale for only $29 ea (Reg. $49 ea), or get them all in the XPro Styles PAK Bundle for only $149 (reg. $299)! Order now!
XPro Styles PAKs require Band-in-a-Box® 2025 or higher and are compatible with ANY package, including the Pro, MegaPAK, UltraPAK, UltraPAK+, and Audiophile Edition.
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
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